FISHING REPORT: May 12 is 'Free Fishing Day'

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has designated May 12 as a "Free Fishing Day" in Connecticut where no fishing license will be required.

This opportunity will be available to both residents and non-residents and applies to all public waters of the state.

DEEP has a number of initiatives intended to connect Connecticut's citizens with the outdoors and our natural resources and this designated "Free Fishing Day" provides another option.

"We view this as a great opportunity for experienced anglers to get a family member, friend or acquaintance outdoors and introduce them to the sport of fishing," said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty. "This year we are offering a free day of fishing in the spring, when anglers can take full advantage of the nice weather, all the trout that we've stocked throughout the state, and all the other great fishing opportunities available in Connecticut."

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There are a number of fishing events scheduled to take place on "Free Fishing Day." A "Family Fishing Day" is scheduled as part of DEEP's "Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint" at Day Pond State Park (Colchester). This event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there will be plenty of activities including fishing, fish sampling, fish stocking, a fish fry, games and prizes. The Great Park Pursuit is a part of the agency's No Child Left Inside initiative focusing on introducing families to the outdoors, building the next generation of environmental stewards and showcasing Connecticut's State Parks and Forests. The Family Fishing event is free and no registration is required. For more information on "Family Fishing Day," email Rachael.sunny@ct.gov or call DEEP at 860-418-5981. More information on the "The Great Park Pursuit Spring Sprint" can be found at NoChildLeftInside.org.

Other fishing events on tap for this coming Saturday include:

?Youth Fishing Education Day at Chatfield Hollow State Park conducted by the Hammonasset Chapter of Trout Unlimited. This event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and includes fish identification, casting and fly tying lessons plus fishing. No preregistration is needed, just stop by anytime during this event.

?A free Fly Fishing Clinic is being offered by the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited at Merwin Meadows Park in Wilton. Fly casting, knot tying, aquatic insect identification, a 9-hole Fly fishing golf course and a late barbecue lunch are on the schedule here. More information can be found at mianustu.org. For reservations, email jyates@mianustu.org or call 203-216-7078.

DEEP reminds non-residents that they can also take advantage of "Free Fishing Day" this weekend.

"We hope that visitors to our state try one of the many fishing opportunities Connecticut has to offer," said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette. "Although we're viewed as a small state, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of outdoor experiences available here."

Anglers should be aware that although no licenses are required, all other Connecticut fishing laws and regulations apply on "Free Fishing Day." Anglers are advised to check fishing regulations in the 2012 Connecticut Angler's Guide, found online at ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. Print version of the guides are available at more than 350 locations statewide, including town halls, bait & tackle shops and other vendors selling outdoor equipment, DEEP facilities, and commercial marinas and campgrounds, or by contacting DEEP's Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH). Additional fishing and fisheries related information can be found on the DEEP web site at ct.gov/deep/fishing.

You can now also find Fisheries and Wildlife directly on Facebook. This page features a variety of information on fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching in Connecticut. The address is facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife.